Personally, I think the hopes expressed here are in vain. Too many people, as a matter of fact the majority of Americans (not FTers) are very very naive about travel and a whole lot that goes with it. After all our country is so big that you can travel thousands of miles and still be in the USA. So many are shocked that at their first stop say in Europe or even in Canada, people don't want US dollars (well many Canadians do but that's another story) and all the other horror stores. How daare they use euro? And when the merchant says the price is €7.37 but that's equivalent to $10.76 and I will write the charge up for $10.76 so you'll know just how much it costs, the naive American jumps at it and says, would you do that. Or if the person understands that nobody usually gives you something for nothing, you are told trust me it's a better rte than the bank will give you. Naive American believes it.

I'll give you an analogy. It was 43 years ago during my first visit to Italy. I went to a newstand to pick up the Herald Tribune. It cost 180 Italian Lire. I handed over 2 100 lira coins and was given 2 pieces of bubble gum. Boy how nice these people are, I thought. You buy a newspapers and they give you a gift. Then it suddently dawned on me. Where was my 20 lire? I asked and the person pointed at the bubble gum.

You live and learn.